Public Affairs Specialist

Major Duties

• Serve as the Public Affairs Specialist (Officer) at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System developing, promoting, and implementing leadership and direction for the Public Affairs program while displaying tact, common sense, diplomacy, initiative, and solid professional judgment
• Provide primary representation of the healthcare system Director and Executive Leadership team in interactions with members of the media, public, Veterans, community groups, local state and federal officials in ways that most effectively achieve the goals of the Veterans Health Administration, VISN 8, and the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System
• Serve as the healthcare system spokesperson representing the Director at events of a public, civic, or social nature and participates in a variety of events dealing with improving the perception of the VA, at the VHA and the Medical Center as well as providing information on services and activities of the staff and volunteers
• Handle communication efforts when controversial, high-level issues impact the VA healthcare system often during crisis and emergency situations
• Serves a Public Information Officer under the Hospital Incident Command System
• Plan, develop, and produce a variety of materials and publications including print, visual, web-based, multimedia, and video materials to convey information about the VA to a variety of stakeholders
• Develop communication campaigns and program guidelines for healthcare system use, defining the scope and parameters for implementing campaigns and providing suggested activities, materials to be used, deadlines, and reporting requirements
• Plan, implement, and evaluate information programs in specifically assigned targeted groups
• Plan and execute special events, coordinates high-profile visits, and supports outreach to veterans not enrolled in the VA health care system
• Serve as internal communications coordinator ensuring the integration of all information venues (printed, electronically displayed)
• Serve as content manager of the VA Medical Center's Internet and Intranet, and publications editor
• Develop specific information materials, programs, training modules, program policies, etc., by direction and with support of the VHA and OPAS
• Serve as mentor to lesser experienced and junior PAO's
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Competencies

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork